This issue has…

• 📸 Some Judy Moody Pics
  good ones, too

• ⏱️ A Timelapse Video
  everyone’s moving so quickly

• 🎥 A Movie Theater for Fairies
  in a tree no less

VOLUNTEERS

Want to rearrange an entire theater?

Ever hear me drone on about the need for volunteers and think to yourself, “sheesh. does this guy ever shut up?” Well, here’s a great example of why I believe it’s a topic worth repeatedly covering.

Mark and the Production team got this great timelapse video of a recent black box seating configuration change (click above). It’s so convenient to have a space with flexible seating (can’t move the seats in the Potter Theater) — but it’s way less convenient to actually change the configuration. It takes a ton of St. Croix Valley person-power!

This is one of the many reasons we continually thank our lucky stars to have amazing Phipps volunteers to help MAKE THIS PLACE GO.

🥰

PROGRAMMING

Kids continue to amaze at the PCA

Last weekend was a busy one at the PCA with a visit from the Minnesota Boychoir as well as a full weekend of Judy Moody performances.

The MN Boychoir turned in an excellent concert that just happened to feature MY NEWPHEW on cello. And before you email me about nepotism running rampant at the Phipps, click above and watch the video. The kid has skillllzzzzz. Honestly, though, I’ve had the good fortune to attend many MN Boychoir concerts. The group never disappoints. We’ll hopefully get them back in a future season, and when we do, I hope you’ll grab a ticket or three.

After the concert, I was able to pop into Sunday’s Judy Moody performance (I saw it on opening night). The crowd was LOVING. IT. If you have yet to gather the kiddos in your life and check out this show, you’re running out of time. It closes on the 17th. It’s a legitimately funny production with legitimately funny middle school performers. And, as always, the set is cute as a button.

Do check it out.

the book pages turn — THE BOOK PAGES TURN

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
If you don’t check out the annual High School Art Exhibition (on view now), there’s no way you’ll be able to “press play” on the Fairy Treetop Movie Theater…and that would be sad.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The camera loves Judy Moody & Stink

whadda goofy crew

Our friend Molly Weibel was in to grab some production photos of Judy Moody the other day, and boy-oh-boy does this production photograph well.

Yes, it’s as fun as it looks. Congrats, kiddos!

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Talk to you in 2 weeks!

This issue has…

• 🎨 Some High School Works
  a buncha talent

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A Bowl Full of Men
  you’re just gonna have to scroll down

• 🚧 Judy Moody Construction
  we’re getting close

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Things are starting to get Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad

Ladders and lifts…it’s starting to look very Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt in the black box. This adorable production is nearing tech week and will open on Friday, May 1st. I’ll almost certainly have some CUTIE PATOOTIE production photos to share with you next time, but for now, grab the kiddos and we’ll see you in May!

VISUAL ARTS

The kids are crushing it

The annual High School Art Exhibition opened last Friday and folks, it’s a real treat. This year features artwork from 164 local high school students from 19 area schools…and we’re even showing artwork from 10 area high school teachers (thankyouthankyou teachers)!

I’ve included a few of my favorites, but you really need to get out and view these artworks with your own eyeballs. There’s some really wonderful stuff being presented. Good job, kiddos!

The HS exhibition runs through May 10th.

the Tree Top Theater is interactive

Teacher artwork below. Go, teachers, go! 👇

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Speaking of the What We Need Is Here exhibition (see below), if what you need is a bunch of tiny men in a bowl, this is a wonderful time to be alive. Check out this smile-worthy piece and group exhibition in the Atrium Gallery through May 10th.

VISUAL ARTS

Art meeting community

Have you heard of the What We Need Is Here group?

Started in 2008, What We Need Is Here is a group of creatives gathering for an ongoing series of annual seminars for artists. The purpose of these monthly gatherings is to explore the role of art and sustainability to create thriving communities in the St. Croix River Valley.

These wonderful and talented folks show their work at the PCA once each year, and they’re currently doing so in the Atrium Gallery through may 10th. Be sure to check it out!

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🎭 Some Hot Takes
  hot-ish at least

• 🎥 Promo Vids
  just one actually

• 🏴‍☠️ Several Cute Kids
  and one pirate

COMMUNITY

Do you have any notes?

Phipps Community Day went off last week without a hitch. Several of you wandered in to check out the various spaces and activities going on at your favorite local arts center. This event is tentatively scheduled next year for Saturday, March 6th, so mark those calendars.

For those who’ve attended in the past, what have you enjoyed? What didn’t work? Are there any things you’d love to see at Phipps Community Day that we aren’t giving you? Tell me all of the things!

PROGRAMMING

My season mailer hot takes

By now, you should’ve received your Phipps 2026/27 season brochure in the mail. If not, you basically have three options:

1. Swing by the Phipps and pick one up at the Welcome Center.

2. Click HERE to view the mailer online.

3. Scream loudly at your nearest USPS employee.

For those of you without reason to rage at your mail carrier, have you perused the new season yet? What are your thoughts? Any favorite events? Hit reply and let me know. I’m only in Year Three, so I’m still trying to figure out what you’re into, what you’re not, and what kinds of new things you might be willing to try. Your feedback helps immensely.

Here are five events I’m excited for and why (in season order):

The Shrieking Harpies is a 4-person improv group that improvises full-scale, 60 to 70-minute musicals in front of your very eyes. It’s incredible. The first time I saw them, I was like “okay okay…that was fun, but this was probably just a good night for them.” When I saw them a second time, I was like “okay okay…they did it twice; maybe they’re just really lucky.” After my third time, I was like “okay okay…these people are clearly musical improv magicians.”
You will not want to miss this.

Transatlantic Love Affair, the producing company of 5×5, talks about creating theatre productions that “celebrate the human body as the ultimate theatrical instrument.” 5×5 is your perfect entry point to this unique type of storytelling. Not only do these five performers use NO props and NO set…they perform the entire play within the boundaries of a 5-foot by 5-foot square. If you’re thinking “there’s no way I would enjoy that” you are 100% wrong. 5×5 will be here for two weekends in November. Definitely check it out.

And the winner in the category of Show Title Most Likely to Offend My Mother: it’s Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testicle! This is a solo musical dramedy (drama + comedy) from local musical theatre writer/performer, Max Wojtanowicz, about his personal experience with cancer. Max is typically acting super hard on the Guthrie stages, so to have him here in our very own little black box is pretty neato. Now, I know you weren’t sitting around in February with your fingers crossed, hoping the PCA would present a musical about testicular cancer, but friends…this show is excellent. It’s equal parts funny, heartwarming, poignant — just an all-around wonderful piece of musical theatre performed by one of this region’s best musical theatre performers. See this one or you will hurt my feelings.

This is a sort of remount from our friends at Walking Shadow Theatre Company in Minneapolis. I was lucky enough to catch it when they produced the regional premiere of this play back in 2019 and it was easily one of my favorite shows of the year. If you love theatre that truly moves you, makes you think, challenges you, and lingers in your brain for days afterward, this is the show for you. Open will be in the black box for three performances over one weekend in February and has my highest recommendation.

Founded and led by famed vocalist and TC music educator, Courtland Pickens, Known MPLS is a youth and young adult gospel choir that will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF. I was lucky enough to hear them at the NAZ gala last year, and my jaw was on the floor. There’s a ton of media out there if you’re interested in learning more, but if you want a quick taste of what’s to come, check out this video of them singing the national anthem at a recent Vikings game — and make sure you stay for the very last note. Courtland’s arrangement is so much fun. Big thanks to my sis-in-law, Nicole, for encouraging me to program this amazing group of artists. 😊

And, of course, I’m a huge fan of the entire season…but these are a few of the newer things you may not have had on your radar. I’m hoping you’ll consider them all. And don’t forget that if you plan to see more than 2 events in the season, it makes financial sense (and it helps the Phipps) to purchase a Season Pass.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
There’s a ton of really great work in Gallery Two right now from the MN New Institute for Ceramic Education. You have one more weekend to check it out, as these exhibitions close on April 12th. Don’t miss out!

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Cute Judy Moody pics in 3…2…1…

do they look cold? cuz they were cold.

We braved 40-degree weather and risked getting sand all over everything, but IT WAS WORTH IT. Our good pal, Molly Weibel, worked her magic yet again and we snapped the cutest pics in the history of Judy Moody & Stink.

These kids are absolute champs and would win several gold medals in the Goofball Olympics. You’re going to want to take the young ones in your life to see this production. It runs May 1-17. Don’t miss out!

yayayayayayayayay!

this is the hardcore Judy Moody look

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• ⚔️ Deathtrap Pics
  we’re hurdling towards it

• 🦭 A Furry Land Seal
  okay, yes…it’s just a dog

• 🎟️ New Pass Options
  please buy one

PERSONAL STUFF

I stand by this content

Busby doin’ Busby stuff

I present for your consideration: a couple of fun dog pics and a shot of my office peace lily.

• Busby sometimes thinks he’s a seal. I was able to document one of those moments recently. Enjoy.

• Jingle (my sis-in-law’s new pup) was recently groomed and is basically a giant fluff ball. Enjoy.

• The peace lily in my office is going crazy this spring. I have TEN BLOOMS and it’s not even April. That beats my previous record of six blooms by FOUR FULL BLOOMS (math). Say what you will about my executive director abilities, but you have to admit that I might be one of this generation’s greatest peace lily guardians. Enjoy.

  ---

  

  Jingle cannot be real

  

  10 blooms is a lot of blooms, right?

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Once again asking you to consider the Season Pass

if you can read this, you don’t need glasses

The 2026/27 season announcement is right around the corner (Sunday, if you’re a Phipps Community Day attendee) and with it, a couple of new Season Passes for you to ignore. JUST KIDDING YOU WILL LOVE THEM AND PURCHASE THEM I AM VERY CONFIDENT OF THIS.

New next season…

• Snowbird Series Pass

  As the name might suggest, this season pass is for folks who scram before the snow starts to fall — two events in the summer/fall, two events in the spring/summer. And they’re really great events!

• Fringe Binge Series Pass

  Spoiler alert: the MN Fringe Festival is coming back for a 3rd straight season. These tickets are already pretty inexpensive (only $20), but now you can see all five Fringe Encore performances for only $15/each. That’s the steal of the century.

• Adventure Series Pass

  Okay, you’re right. We offered this pass last season. BUT…this year we’re adding a FREE DRINK for each of the four events. That’s right. I want you to see these events so badly that I’m bribing you with booze. But you won’t need to be gently inebriated to enjoy these events.

And, of course, there will still be the Opening Night Series Pass that gets you a fun little post-show reception where you can eat, drink, and hob-nob with the cast and crew. And if nothing else, you can grab a 3, 5, or 7 event pass to see whatever the heck you want. It’s a neat season, you guys. There’s lots to love.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
I’m not typically a huge fan of bones. I mean, I have bones and I guess I do enjoy having a skeletal structure…but it’s not every day you find them in the galleries. And are antlers even bones? I suppose they technically are. Anyway, Cathryn’s work is really cool. You should swing by and see it before these exhibitions close on April 12th.

PROGRAMMING

Just say “yes”

Deathtrap is comin’ atcha

It’s getting pretty Deathtrappy over here lately, as we hurdle toward April 10th (opening night dontcha know).

You should hopefully be getting your Marquee in the mail soon (if not, swing by the PCA and grab one). And you probably already received your Deathtrap postcard (if not, swing by the PCA and grab one).

Are you attending Deathtrap? Is this show on your calendar? Just say “yes” okay? Lie to me if you must.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 💃 Excellent Dance
  Center Stage is crushing it

• 🖼️ Event Artwork
  announcement incoming

• 🐕 A Barfing Dog
  you probably know who

COMMUNITY

Come kick the tires (artistically speaking)

this backstage tour is so backstagey

Phipps Community Day is right around the corner (Sunday, March 29th) and we couldn’t be more excited.

For those new to PCD, it’s essentially a Phipps open house. You can swing by anytime between noon and 3pm and tour our spaces, see demos, talk to staff, board, and arts council members, watch performances…it’s an absolute blast.

organ info galore!

And the best part: you get to see the new season (and buy tickets) before anyone else.

Stick it on your calendar: Sunday, March 29 from 12:00-3:00p. Come on by and let us show you all sorts of Phipps goodness! More specifics to come…

making art is always a good thing

DANCE

High school, high level

I had the pleasure of checking out the Center Stage spring showcase last weekend. What a treat!

These high-school-aged dancers (with guidance from Stephanie Campbell and Christina Leines) put together an hour+ of pretty amazing artistry. And they were clearly having a ton of fun while doing it.

If you’re interested in checking them out, this weekend is your last — and by the look of the weather forecast, I wouldn’t wait until Sunday. ❄️

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Drywall, epoxy resin, and paint. Who knew?
You can see more work from Nicholas in the Riverview Gallery through April 12th.

PROGRAMMING

Wrong answers also welcome

Our new season announcement is right around the corner (see Phipps Community Day post above), so I thought I’d give you a little event artwork sneak peek. These are just a few of my favorites.

Hit reply and send me your guesses. If you get one right, I’ll mail you a comp!

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🪩 Itchy Elton John
  how will he scratch?

• 🪴 A Hungry Plant
  yes, another one

• 📷 Some Phippsy Photos
  and some Phippsy history

PRODUCTION DEPT.

We put a garbage can on the ceiling and there’s nothing you can do about it

You and your littles are going to LOVE the set for Sideways Stories from Wayside School (opens this Friday, btw). It perfectly captures the bizarre goofiness of the book series. I mean, there’s a garbage can on the ceiling for cryin’ out loud. As usual, the PCA’s Production Department, along with all our amazing scene shop volunteers, knocked it out of the park.

Additionally, I spied with my little eye this adorable nod to the Center’s fall production, Little Shop of Horrors. DawwwwwwwwwPERFECT.

Sales are definitely picking up for this one — if you have some kiddos yearning for laughs or just want to see what these talented high schoolers are up to, grab a ticket (use code “flyingp” for a discount to opening night) and come out this weekend to support the “Sideways” cast and crew.

Just please…don’t feed the plants.

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Murder mystery, but make it historic

We had an extra fun location for our recent Deathtrap photo shoot: the former Phipps Inn! The current owners graciously opened up their beautiful and historic home so we could snap a few publicity shots. And let’s just say it did not disappoint.

Yes, it was an ideal backdrop for Molly and the gang to turn out some stellar images — but one of the owners, Rich, also shared a few mini history lessons about the house and its connection to the Phipps family. Bonus!

Deathtrap: comin’ atcha this April.

my photo

Molly’s photo

my photo

Molly’s photo

my photo

Molly’s photo

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Wowowowowow this exhibition is truly fantastic. Get to the galleries posthaste to see Sandy’s work along with so many other amazing works!

BEHIND THE SCENES

Casual peek at some absolute nonsense

I do not wish to eat a piece

Against all my better judgement, I snuck backstage this afternoon to give YOU, dear reader, a sneak peek into some of the wild and crazy props of Sideways Stories from Wayside School (opening this Friday, if you haven’t heard).

Could I have been caught? Yes.
Was it against the rules? Unclear.
Would our Production Stage Manager, Katie, have yelled at me? Probably not; she’s not a big yeller. She might’ve given me a strong WTF look, though. And knowing all of that, I did it anyway. For you.

You’re welcome.

I really hope “Louis” has been taking lessons.

I will not be trying the purple stuff.

more crazy instruments for the kids on the 30th floor

Fancy rake? Magic fork for eating the purple stuff? Elton John’s backscratcher? You’ll have to see the show to find out!

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🐶 An Obedient Pup
  she’s so cute you guys

• 🖼️ A New Exhibition
  opening tomorrow

• 🎤 A Louie Anderson Story
  or at least the story of that story

PROGRAMMING

Story Slam was a story slam-dunk

the rug really pulled the room together

We had a nice visit last Sunday from Strike Theater in Minneapolis for our Story Slam event. A large group of some of the most talented storytellers in the Twin Cities regaled us with tales that covered everything from their own intimate family dynamics to some very wild times with Louie Anderson…and everything in between.

Did you attend? If so, send me your thoughts. I’m hoping we can bring Strike back next season for another one of these very fun events.

they actually did seem this happy

PEOPLE

Adhesive quality may vary, your love does not

I gave it a tiny plug last week, but I think it’s worth taking a closer look at the “Love for the Phipps” wall in our lobby. Have you checked it out yet?

I snapped a few pics of some of my favorites, but there’s also tons of love for our amazing Welcome Center staff, instructors, shows and classes…it’s really fun to see how the Center is connecting with you all.

If you have time, swing by and throw your heart on the wall (assuming you heart the PCA, which I know you do). When you put yours up, make sure you press extra hard on the sticky part because I was informed these are not 3M post-its and I feel great shame about it. 🙃

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
No favorites yet, as the next exhibition doesn’t open until tomorrow — but that reminds me that I should tell you that the next exhibition opens tomorrow!

Swing by tomorrow (Friday) btwn 6:30pm - 8:30pm for the opening reception. I’ll be slinging drinks at concessions, so come on by and I’ll sling one your way.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Things are going Sideways

looking nice and kooky

I poked my head into the JHP Theater to see how Sideways Stories is coming and it’s looking VERY FUN. This kooky play, which will be performed by a very talented group of local high school students, is right around the corner — set to open on Feb 20th.

If you have kiddos in your life, this one is guaranteed to make them smile…and probably giggle…and very possibly belly laugh.

Check out the really cool time lapse video below showing the load-in of this cool set.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🐶 A New Jingle
  a cute one, too

• 🎓 School Photos
  say cheese

• 🎭 New Take on R&J
  would Willy be proud?

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Picture Day at Wayside School

look at these amazing kiddos

A few from the cast of the PCA’s upcoming children’s production, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, got gussied up for some publicity shots recently. Our friend Molly Weibel came by and snapped several amazing photos, one of which you will see on a postcard in your mailbox very very soon.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School opens on Feb 20th and will be so much fun for the whole family. Grab your tickets if you haven’t already! Use code “FLYINGP” to take 10% off (opening night only).

PROGRAMMING

You love a First Look

sound designer (and director), Brandon, plays us some sound cues

Wowie Maui!
Nearly 100 of you showed up for our FIRST LOOK: Deathtrap on Tuesday to hear all the interesting things we have planned for you on the JHP stage in April.

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, the PCA’s First Look series gives audiences a sneak peek at the very first rehearsal of a particular production. You get to hear from the director, designers, actors — it’s a whole lot of fun. And two more amazing things: it’s free and only an hour long!

Keep your eyes on your PCA emails so you don’t miss the next one! And make sure you grab your Deathtrap tickets before it’s too late.

👆
Artists Conversation with the Interfaith Artist Circle
Swing by Gallery Two (upstairs) this Sunday, Feb 8th at 2pm for a conversation with featured artists from the Interfaith Artist Circle…a great way to close out this exhibition.

FEEDBACK

Season planning is getting weird

your thoughts now belong to me

HUGE thanks to all of you who sent in your thoughts, ideas, and feedback after last week’s P. It helps so much to know what’s going on inside your heads.

The consensus (from P-readers anyway) seems to be:

• Current ticket prices are fair…and could even be increased a teeny-tiny bit.

• You DO love matinees as much as it feels like you do. More matinees.

• Long show, short show, intermission — none of it matters if the show stinks. Show quality is the most important thing.

• Season Passes are a great deal; keep ‘em coming.

• You love musicals and hate general admission.

Got it. Thanks again. If you didn’t send something in and would still like to, please hit “reply” to this email and send away!

And would it really be a blurb about feedback without a little more brat-talk?

Finally, the P is paying off with offers of free food.

Consider the mustard museum visit officially considered, Mike!

I mean…we are currently season planning.

Speaking of feedback, if you have some really positive things to say about the PCA, you now have a dedicated place to say it. Check out the “Love for the Phipps” wall (just inside and to the left of the main lobby doors). Grab a heart, write down a message, and slap it on the wall. It’ll be here throughout the month of February. And for the record, we love you, too. ♥️

Big thanks to Anne and Greta for this fun idea.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🌭 More Hotdog Debating
  we need to write a play about this

• 📢 Your POV
  or at least space for it

• 🫧 Bubble Blowing
  why not, right?

FEEDBACK

Hot takes wanted (don’t make us guess)

The PCA is in the process of putting together the 2026/27 season. I’m very excited about how things are shaping up but I’d like to hear more from YOU.

For example…

• Do you really love matinees as much as it seems like you do?…even on Saturdays?

• Do you prefer longer shows with an intermission, or would you like a quick, one-act, 75-minute event that gets you in-and-out?

• Do you think our ticket prices are okay, or too expensive? Maybe you think we should be charging more!

• Season Pass sales have been on the decline pretty much everywhere (including the Phipps). What don’t you like about season passes? Do they need to be more flexible? Are they too expensive? Do you just not want to plan that far into the future?

Hit reply to this email and send me ALL your feedback regarding the above or anything else you want to get off your chest.

FEEDBACK

KetchupGate, 2026

In the last issue of the P, I made a single, solitary reference to the ketchup-on-a-brat debate from last summer, and y’all STILL piped in with some strong opinions.

Faithful reader, Melissa, simply emailed the following screenshot as an opposing view:

I’ll continue to monitor this debate and send updates as needed.
Thanks.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
As a bubble-blower myself, I connect deeply with this one from Jane in the Riverview Gallery. Don’t dilly-dally. This exhibition is only around until Feb 8th.

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Statement about the statement

You may have seen that the PCA put out a statement yesterday addressing the current events in our region. I’m not going to say much about it here, as I think it speaks for itself.

But the Flying P is about giving you an insider peek into the Phipps and specifically my day-to-day at this organization…so in that vein, I will say this: the PCA’s board spent serious time thinking about that statement. The pros and cons were thoughtfully weighed and debated respectfully. The group consistently demonstrated an unwavering care for the community of Hudson and the St. Croix Valley as a whole. I’m extremely proud of how the Phipps board conducted itself and I feel grateful to be part of an organization that’s willing to lead even when it’s uncomfortable.

Lastly, if you’re an artist wanting to do more, here’s a good list that was compiled by our friends at Theater Mu.

• Artists as Witness Grants

• Artists Respond from Springboard for the Arts

• Open Call for cartoonists

• Crochet for Good crochet and donation drive

• Open Call for protest songs from TC United Performers

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• Are you that friend? Subscribe here.

• Interested in learning more about the Phipps? Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or hit reply and let me know what you’re looking for. I’ll help you find it.

Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🥣 A Beautiful Bowl
  it’s mine now

• 🍞 Banana Bread Ballet
  and cookies; lots of cookies

• 📜 24,000 Words
  not really; don’t worry

DANCE

Bake-dancing

did you buy any dance yums?

As is the case every year, Phipps Dance did its thing during the Candlelight Stroll event and absolutely packed the PCA’s lobby.

As you can see above, we held our annual bake sale, chock full of delicious holiday baked goods. And then, just when everyone least expected, we straight up danced in the lobby. A lot. With costumes.

Turns out the PCA’s lobby makes a pretty good dance venue.
I’m kidding, of course. It’s way too small and no sprung floor (?) c’mon. But Phipps dancers are HARD. CORE. and made it work.

Way to go, PCA Dance! 👏👏👏

Did you experience the bake-dancing event? Didja buy a cookie or two? Reply to this email and lemme know how you liked it.

dancing in front of PCA signage for maximum marketing

PROGRAMMING

Bonkers is beautiful

tickets are going for $300+ on the black market

It was another bonkers (in a good way) weekend last week, as the PCA played host to 3 packed houses of It’s a Wonderful Life, a very well-attended Black Box concert by the one and only, Courtney Burton, the aforementioned lobby bake-dancing event, galleries full of PCA Member art, and classes-classes-classes to round things out.

These are my absolute favorite times to be at the Phipps. Nothing says “community arts center” like 124,587 people crammed into the lobby, each one maneuvering through the crowds to go experience something different. What a cool place.

God bless the Phipps!

these guys were goooooooooooood

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Check out this very cool piece from PCA member and frequent volunteer, John Schultz.
Did I purchase this piece? Maaaaybe. Yes. Yes, I did. I couldn’t help myself.
Get to the Phipps this weekend; it’s your last chance to catch the Member show!

SAUSAGE-MAKING

The numbers no one asked for

I don’t know what “impressions” are

Beehiiv, which is the newsletter platform I use for the Flying P, sent me some end-of-year numbers — you know, ‘cause we have to MEASURE EVERY SINGLE THING TO MAKE SURE IT’S GROWING WOULDN’T WANT SOMETHING TO SIMPLY EXIST JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT.
Get off my lawn.

Anyway, since this is the final P of the year, I thought I’d share some of the highlights:

First, nearly 24,000 words feels like a lot until you realize it’s less than 500 words per week. ChatGPT laughs at my pitiful output and looks forward to the day it can take my job.

CTR — that’s you doing the crossword

As you know, I aim for one Flying P per week (Thursdays), and as you can see from the image above, I waaaaaaay missed the mark. Every single week is hard, you guys. I may need to move to bi-weekly, especially since that seems to be where I’m at anyway…but I’m gonna give it a few more months before I officially concede.

On the plus side, a 70% open rate is super-duper! Y’all are really good at reading this little weirdo newsletter. Good job, everyone!

At 328, we are a small but mighty group. Some of us love ketchup on a hot dog, but we won’t talk about that atrocity this close to Christmas.

Road trip anyone? ☝️

What are your thoughts on the P this year? Hit reply and send me any likes, dislikes, and/or fantastic ideas that I can implement in 2026 to keep you from unsubscribing.

Thanks for reading, everyone — and much more importantly, thanks for supporting the Phipps Center for the Arts.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

PS - just a reminder that there’s a matching grant in effect through the end of this calendar year. Make a donation to the PCA before Dec 31st and it will be doubled. Just sayin’. 😊

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🍸 A Yummy Addition to Concessions
  please drink responsibly

• 😁 Lots of Smiles
  and lots of stats

• 🧑‍🎄 Some Holiday Heroes
  holiday dream team assembled

COMMUNITY

Warning: report may cause additional smiles

we tallied them up; there were thousands

Didja get our annual report in the mail? If not, no worries; you can also catch it online by clicking here (or stop by the PCA and we’ll put one in your hand).

There are lots of facts and stats and stories about what the PCA did last season (hint: a lot). Also, it looks so pretty! Check it out when you can.

PEOPLE

Lobby legends

ooooooh…ahhhhhhh

Big thanks need to go out to a few of the PCA faithful.

First, Guest Services Associates (and Phipps super-fans) Veronica Nepper and Alycia Benzer took it upon themselves to decorate the PCA’s lobby for the holidays. Be sure to ooooh and ahhhhh at their great work when you stop by this December.

Kassi says “fill the bin”

Phipps Scene Shop Manager, Kassi Kulow, piped up in a meeting a while back and said "Hey! Let’s get some bins in the lobby for Operation HELP.” And when Kassi says “hey” with an exclamation, she means business. Bins in the lobby it is! Be sure to toss a need in a bin after sufficiently ooooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing at Veronica and Alycia’s holiday decor.

Tom doesn’t know I took this photo; please don’t tell him

Lastly, big thanks to Phipps board member and Music Council chair, Tom Dahle, who crawled all over the lobby floor trying to get our player piano working for the holidays. We’re not quite there yet, but things are moving in the right direction. Thanks, Tom!

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
The Members Spotlight Exhibition is still on display. If you haven’t caught it yet, be sure to make some time to stop by. This Gallery One piece from Amy Clark is called Mankato Evening and I’m a fan.

THEATRE

Spirits are high (and pepperminty)

backstage candid courtesy our brilliant kid wrangler, Emma Knospe

It’s a Wonderful Life is off to a fantastic start, as the show opened at 95% sold. At this point, there are essentially only single tickets remaining. That, my friends, is what we in the theatre industry would call “a holiday hit.” More important than the ticket sales, however, is the fact that cast and crew alike seem to be having a very positive experience. Kudos to John Potter and team!

Audiences seem to be doing okay, too, especially with the addition of a PEPPERMINT WHITE RUSSIAN to the holiday concessions menu. Wonderful life, indeed. 🥳

Here’s your friendly reminder that there are other holiday offerings at the Phipps this season, all of which still have tickets remaining (probably not for long): Wonderland Jazz Jam, A Brass & Organ Holiday, and Colleen Raye’s New Year’s Eve.

you will drink it with a lid, and you will like it

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🎟️ A Friendly Warning
  you probably won’t get another one

• 🎹 Golden Pipes
  the pops were yummy, too

• 🩰 A Field Trip
  PCA students are the best students

MUSIC

Striking gold

Dennis James doing his thing while Charlie does his

The PCA’s first Pipes & Pops event of the season was last Sunday. “Ben, can you please remind me what Pipes & Pops is?” I can imagine you saying right about now.

Pipes & Pops is one of the 2025/26 specialty season passes. In addition to seeing 3 very fun organ concerts, you also get a bag of free gourmet popcorn at each event. To honor Charlie Chaplin’s “Gold Rush” (which was the silent film Dennis James so brilliantly accompanied), Pipes & Poppers were given a bag of Gold Nugget Cheese (everyone else could buy one).

Check out the next Pipes & Pops organ event or risk losing out on yet another bag of delicious gourmet popcorn.

Should it have been called Charlie Chaplin Cheddar? Arguably yes :(

DANCE

Creativity sparked

what a crew!

A handful of students in Greta Lewis’ choreography workshop recently took a trip to see Collide Theatrical’s production of Dracula to check out some pros in action.

The students will showcase some of their work at the Phipps on Friday, January 9th @ 6pm. 😊

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
The Members Spotlight Exhibition opened last Friday and IT IS SOLID. Make sure you get out and see some of the fantastic work being done by OUR VERY OWN PHIPPS MEMBERS, which includes Lora Fandrey who created this piece that I’m in love with.

THEATRE

A friendly warning to my Flying P friends

Potter’s gonna be pretty crabby if you miss this show

Hey, ummm…just putting this out there because I like you and I want you to succeed in obtaining tickets to It’s a Wonderful Life: THINGS ARE GETTING DICY.

As of right now, we’ve got 5 performances with less than 50 tickets remaining and another 7 with less than 100. If your family is really excited about seeing the show on December 7th, I hope there aren’t five of you. In other words: get your tickets ASAP cuz they’ll be gone very, very soon — and then you’ll be sitting on the waitlist twiddling your thumbs like a holiday ding-dong.

Don’t be a holiday ding-dong.

PS - check out that deck paint job by our insanely talented scenic charge, Julie Lasonczyc. Julie! How do you do that?!

wow Julie wow

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🐶 A Buzzy Sighting
  woof!

• ⬛ Black Box Happenings
  get there if you can

• 💌 Some Postcard Instructions
  don’t toss it

PROGRAMMING

Busy black box

a packed house for the Mysterious Radio folks

It’s been a busy fall over in the black box!

We started things off with our fall Cabaret Night at the Phipps. As usual, Jennifer Eckes and the St. Croix Valley Opera knocked it right out of the park. The next one is Jan 31st.

For the next 3 Sundays in October, we hosted the wonderful Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society. Their crowds increased as the month progressed, and we’ll most likely look to have this super fun group back for a third-straight season in ‘26-’27.

And finally, last Sunday was the culmination of “The Art of Storytelling” series, which was a collaboration the Phipps had with First Presbyterian Church and the Hudson Area Public Library. And what a fun event it was! It featured 6 local first-time storytellers sharing the stories they had been crafting in the workshops over the last several weeks. We’ll hopefully do something like this workshop again, so keep your eyes peeled for more info. And, of course, we’ve got the Strike Theater Story Slam coming up in February.

And if it’s been a while, get yer butt over to the black box (sorry I said “butt”)!

a great and supportive house for the storytellers

PROGRAMMING

It’s a wonderful postcard

they smiled like this FOR HOURS

The postcard above should be landing in your mailbox in the next few days. Please don’t toss it.
Please.
We spent so much money on these. At least hold it in your hands for a few seconds. Maybe read a few words on the back. Stick it on your fridge if you’re feeling extra generous.

But most important: SEE THIS SHOW.
And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll see it on opening night. Don’t forget what happened at Little Shop’s opening night (see below).

treats.
treats is what happened.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Galleries are currently closed, but the Members Spotlight exhibition is being installed as I type. Swing by for the opening on Friday!

PEOPLE

See you next Halloween

I’m putting it in your head a year in advance: get next year’s Halloween costume at the Phipps.

We have an absolute crap ton of costumes AND we have a Bridget, who will costume you as part of the deal AND it’s only $50. Need a bright yellow “Harold Hill” costume? Done. Weird big-teeth cyclops person? Got it. Tiny witch hat? I’m sure we can figure it out.

Happy belated Halloween from the PCA’s admin office.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🩰 Visual Art in Dance Form
  a nice PCA collab

• 🌭 Some Delicious Brats
  did you get one?

• 🖼️ A Mysterious Painting
  two more mysterious events

VOLUNTEERS

Less chill = good grill

some of our fabulous board members (who are also volunteers!)

Last Thursday was a big day at the Phipps, as we had our annual Volunteer Grill and Chill event.

This lovely little get-together is something the PCA started last year as a thank-you to all of our fantastic volunteers. We grill some meat, eat some ice cream, and then see the show. It’s a super combo!

We were a little concerned about pairing this with Little Shop in October (last year’s event was in September) — but Mother Nature did not disappoint. The weather was fabulous.

Are you a PCA volunteer? If so, you’re missing out on a bunch of volunteer fun, the chance to help your favorite local arts center, AND the amazing annual Grill and Chill. Become a Phipps volunteer today!

big thanks to our sponsors for this event!

it was a great patio day

expert grilling

PROGRAMMING

Little Shop is open for business

Have you seen Little Shop of Horrors yet? I was able to catch opening night, and it was pretty clear that fun was being had by all (onstage and off).

Huge kudos to the PCA’s Production Dept who once again nailed it. As you can see from these amazing Molly Weibel pics, the scenic elements are worth the price of admission all by themselves.

Also huge kudos to the Drama Council for throwing a very fun opening night shindig (see pic below). If you’re not coming to opening nights, you’re Phippsing incorrectly.

And a final huge kudos to our sponsor for this production: Hudson Flower Shop. Are your plants eating people? Stop by Hudson Flower Shop and see if they’ll dole out some advice.

This one runs through Nov 2, so grab your tickets asap!

cake, bubbly, other snacks…start Phippsing correctly by attending opening nights

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Bebe has some new stuff in Lobby Gallery, inspired by the next few productions. This one, in particular, is what she selected for The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society.

If this was a marketing email, I would now tell you that The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society is playing in the PCA’s Black Box space this Sunday and next — get your tickets before it’s too late. But this is not a marketing email, so I will just tell you I think this artwork is neat and leave it at that.

EDUCATION

Art inspiring art

Check out these pics I got from Greta Lewis, who heads up our Dance Council here at the Phipps.

Students in the choreography workshop series completed an exercise where they drew inspiration from some of the artwork in the PCA’s galleries. Dancers chose an artwork and created movement based on that artwork. This exercise followed their study of intention and inspiration in dance.

With how busy everyone is, the PCA’s many artistic disciplines don’t often get a chance to collaborate — but when it happens, IT’S PRETTY DARN COOL.

Good job, y’all!

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🎄 Mr. Potter’s First Look
  it’s gonna be a good one

• ⛓️‍💥 A Broken Elevator
  we’re workin’ on it

• 🪴 A Big Little Shop
  this set is looking amazing

THEATRE

Little Shop to open its doors soon

a little Little Shop set teaser

The Phipps team has been hard at work putting up the set for Little Shop of Horrors (opening on the 10th) and things are starting to get EXCITING.

There are flowers and plants everywhere, puppets — and even a fire hydrant (stay away, Busby). I’ll try to grab some video this weekend so you can see and hear what this amazing cast is capable of. Hint: it’s a lot.

To summarize: you’re not going to want to miss this one.

FACILITIES

Getting your steps in just became a whole lot easier

Heads up: the Phipps northside elevator will be out of commission for about a month as some much-needed maintenance is done (courtesy of the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation — elevator maintenance is expensive, folks). In the meantime, there’s a little Phipps detour in place.

I’m not sure if you noticed, but you should not enter this area. 😊

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Ever wanted to know what the Mona Lisa would look like if da Vinci had been obsessed with you? Check out Cam’s interactive AI piece in Gallery Three.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lotsa people were First Lookin’

The PCA’s holiday production, It’s a Wonderful Life, is off and running after this past Monday’s very successful First Look event.

We had over 80 people show up to catch presentations from director, John Potter (ever heard of him?), as well as other designers, cast, and crew. As usual, it was a super fun and interesting kick off to what is sure to be a beautiful holiday production.

Are you on the First Look bandwagon yet? If not, you can hop on at the next one (Deathtrap), coming later this winter.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 😠 A Scowly Mr. Potter
  he’s nice in real life

• 🤖 A Panel of AI Artists
  don’t worry; they’re optimistic

• 🎓 A School Matinee Crowd
  we love hosting the kiddos

PERSONAL STUFF

The P is baaaaaaack!

sometimes you gotta stop and smell the Twins games

Big huge MEGA apologies for the unannounced 2-week Flying P absence. My personal life collided head-on with my Phipps workload and the newsletter, sadly, fell by the wayside.

buh-bye, Mpls

On the personal side of things, we moved! — from Mpls to StP. Our very first home was in St. Paul, so it feels good to be back after 10 years away (and good to be closer to the Phipps 😁). Party at my place, y’all!

there are still a couple storytelling workshops left

On the Phipps side of things, we’ve been tackling all sorts of fun things like opening Miss Nelson is Missing!, getting Little Shop of Horrors into shape, starting promotion for It’s a Wonderful Life, classes, artist panels, storytelling workshops etc etc etc. You know how it is over here. The programming is nuts. In a good way, of course.

What’s your next Phipps adventure? We have tons coming up, so make sure to check the PCA’s calendar and get yer butt to the Phipps!

MARKETING

It’s a Wonderful…photo shoot

Phipps patrons Carolyn & Don Egeberg graciously donated the use of their beautiful banister/newel post last week so we could snap some publicity images for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Above is a little behind-the-scenes view of Molly doing her Molly thing.
Aaaaaaaand some of the results are below. Curse me if you must, but it’s worth noting that the holidays are right around the corner!

“Clarence”

“George” & “Mary”

“Mr. Potter”

PS - We have the It’s a Wonderful Life First Look coming up this Monday. Will I see you there?

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
I’ve already mentioned the AI exhibition, but you also need to check out the cool stuff happening in Gallery One. Annie is killing it.

VISUAL ARTS

Just a cute li’l robot chat

Hopefully you were able to make it to last week’s panel discussion on artificial intelligence and its relationship to artmaking. We had a really interesting group of artists who use AI in their processes to varying degrees, and it was really fun to hear their takes on AI’s usefulness and where they think the technology is likely to take art in the future.

If you missed the discussion, there’s still time to check out the AI exhibition in the galleries and have your own discussion.

“Hey, Siri…what are the Phipps gallery hours?”

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🐶 Another Busby Pic
  they will never stop

• 🎟️ Some Ludus Hints
  you’ll be running the box office in no time

• 🤖 AI News
  the real stuff; no slop here

PROGRAMMING

Visual Arts comin’ atcha!

Have you been through the galleries lately? If not, this is a great time to plan a visit.

Coming soon is our Human x Machine: Exploring Art in the Age of AI exhibition, which explores how AI is shaping the creative process. Some artists are embracing and utilizing this new technology, while others are flat our rejecting it.

If you’re interested in learning more about this, there will be a panel discussion on Thursday, September 18th at 6:30pm in the PCA’s black box theater. Artists will share their perspectives and discuss the implications for the future of creativity. The panel will feature artists Staci Ludwig, Mat Ollig, Kurt Paulsen, and Sam Van Vo and will be moderated by Nicole M. Watson, director of the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. Seating is limited, so RSVP YES by clicking here.

As if that wasn’t enough, we have the annual Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival coming up on September 27th & 28th. This is a collaboration with the Hudson Chamber of Commerce, so check out their website for more info on that.

Let’s go, Team Visual Arts!

TIPS & TRICKS

It’s time to become a Ludus pro

Hey, Ben…what the heck is Ludus?
Great question, hypothetical Flying P reader!

Ludus is the ticketing system we began using at the start of the 2025/26 season. Did you notice a change? You probably did. And maybe you noticed because you were like “Ugh! I hate change!” I hope that’s not the case, but if it is, here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most out of this new-ish system.

First tip: THERE IS A CALENDAR

It’s true! When you click on “Events” at the top of the Phipps website, you’ll get to a page that lists ALL of our events. To the right of the search bar, you’ll see a little icon that looks like a tiny calendar (see pic above). Click on that and BOOM…you’ll see our whole season listed in calendar form. Click the little “x” in the upper right to go back to non-calendar view.

like calendars? then you’re in luck

Second tip: YOU CAN “LEARN MORE”

Heading back to the “Events” page, you’ll see a little “Learn More” button just below the event artwork (see pic below).

get ready to learn so much more

Click on that to reveal a boatload of additional event info — stuff like descriptions, age recommendations, content warnings, artist photos, sponsors, etc (example below).

This is really useful for those events that are not Phipps productions (think a visiting musician or singer) because they don’t have a dedicated page on the PCA’s website.

look at all this additional info!

Third tip: YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT

I bet you’re super pumped for this one, right? Yaaaaaay. Another account. Another log-in. Another thing to think about.

Okay, so most of you likely won’t use this…but the point is IT’S THERE IF YOU WANT IT.

As you can see above, there’s a little “My Account” button on the Events page. Click on that and log in (no passwords needed; it simply sends you a log-in email) and you’ll have access to a bunch of useful stuff including your order history, a place where you can edit your personal information, you can see your volunteer hours, subscribe/unsubscribe from PCA mailing lists…it’s great!

this button exists for all upcoming events in your account

But one of the most useful things is you can view upcoming events that you have tickets for (see pic above), click on “View Order”…

what it looks like when you click “view order”

…and print your tickets, have them sent to your phone or Will Call, view your receipt, or even transfer the tickets to someone else. Wowie Maui!

Think how cool you’ll feel when your husband is like “Hang on, Cynthia, I have to call the Phipps box office because I can’t find our stupid tickets.” and you’re like “Harold, calm down…I just had them sent to your phone.” You’re gonna blow Harold’s ever-loving mind.

So anyway, those are my Ludus tips and tricks. Use them to make your PCA life easier or to blow minds…or both. It’s totally up to you.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Last chance to catch the current exhibition. Get in the car RIGHT NOW!

PERSONAL STUFF

Desk puppy

My wife and I painted ourselves into a puppy corner again last week, and I had to bring ol’ Busby to work. As you can see, he was NO HELP AT ALL. #lazy

At least mop the stage or something, Buzzy… sheesh.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 👺 Masks for You
  October is right around the corner

• 🎭 A Final Fringe Plug
  you only have 4 more chances

• 🎙️ Parade Highlights
  huge flowers FTW

COMMUNITY

Little Shop at Pepper Fest

now THAT’s how you drive a Miata

Hey, didja catch us in the Pepper Fest parade?

We grabbed two (yes, two) cars for this one — that’s how serious we are about Little Shop of Horrors — and cruised through the parade, singing at the top of our lungs. We also went all in with the flower decorations. See pics for proof.

If this looks like fun, you (yes, you) can participate in the next one. Just sign up to be a PCA volunteer and we’ll get in touch the next time there’s a parade that needs walkin’.

whadda group!

the flowers…THE FLOWERS

PROGRAMMING

Last call for Fringe

you’re still in this; you’ve only missed one

I know I’m not supposed to market to you in this newsletter, but I’m technically saying this in my capacity as a MN Fringe fan, as opposed to a Phipps employee: YOU GOTTA GET OUT AND SEE A FRINGE SHOW!

Depending on when you read this, you have 4 more chances: tonight (Thursday) at 7pm, Friday at 7pm, and Saturday at 2pm and 7pm.

Check out last week’s issue if you need a refresher on which show(s) to select. The Encore week opened last night with AMERICAN’T, and it was a lot of fun. Come on, gang. You can do it. Support adventurous art.

See you this weekend!

Me too, Encore audience member. Me too. 😊 

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
This is a straight-up party.
Check out more of Denise’s work in Gallery One.

RENTALS

Mask up!

my favorite mask

Phipps Halloween rentals are back by popular demand. Beginning September 29th, Bridget will be down in the costume shop ready to turn you into Han Solo or Elphaba or a giant chicken…whatever your weirdo heart desires. And each full costume is only $50! You can’t beat that.

Check out our website for dates, times, and more info.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 📷 Some Publicity Pics
  we’re so photogenic

• 🎭 Encore Exploration
  five shows in four days; you can do it

• 🎙️ A Request for More Leslie
  please come back, Leslie…please

PROGRAMMING

The Fringe is baaaaaaaack!

It’s that time of year again: Fringe Encore at the Phipps begins next Wednesday!

Being a theatre guy, the MN Fringe Festival is one of my all-time favorite things. There are just SO MANY fun and weird and different shows to check out — and all of them are no more than an hour long. Even if I wander into the worst show imaginable, it’s still going to end in about an hour. I can deal with that.

And in the case of the Fringe Encore at the Phipps, you don’t even have to worry about the worst show imaginable, because we’ve hand-picked these productions JUST FOR YOU. They’re all very good. And they’re all very different.

Here’s the week’s schedule…

Jon Bennett: AMERICAN’T Wednesday, Aug. 20th @ 7pm A wild, hilarious, & heartfelt story of family, failure, & getting arrested in America. “Masterful, hilarious & heart breaking. AMERICAN’T is a Triumph.” - Broadway World "A Masterpiece ★★★★★" - Fringe Feed Why you should see it: This one has a stand-up feel to it. Some of the stories are equal parts hilarious and crude. However, it’s great storytelling, too, and tugs at your heartstrings multiple times throughout. Jon Bennett performs all over the world, and it shows.

Jewelry Power Elite Thursday, Aug. 21st @ 7pm Lauren Anderson, a comedian who wears jewelry for sport, recounts personal stories about her life and the jewelry she wore while she lived and survived it. A celebration of whimsy and courage over the mundane. Why you should see it: If there was a Mt. Rushmore of Twin Cities comedy, Lauren Anderson would be on it. She’s a veteran of the Brave New Workshop and is one of the best improvisers in town. This is her first solo show, and it does not disappoint.

A Good Cancer to Have Friday, Aug. 22nd @ 7pm This year cancer tried to kill Sam. This is the show he wrote about it. Why you should see it: This is the guy who did the horse show last year. Did you see it? It was called A Horse Walks Out Onto Stage and Dies. It was as crazy as it sounds…and also incredible. Sam Sweere is an excellent performer and this show is personal, hilarious, heartwarming, and a reminder how talented the young man is.

What We Wore Saturday, Aug. 23rd @ 2pm In this one-woman show, Gabi (of @gabis_vintage) digs into her family's vintage clothing to connect with the past, explore womanhood, and share the WILD world of life online. Historical, humorous, and heartfelt. Why you should see it: We saw this show because Gail, our Business Director, said she thought it sounded fun. And it was! Gabi Jones is a natural storyteller, and the way she weaves family and the past into the clothing items is fascinating. My wife saw this one and proclaimed it a “10 out of 10.”

Mind Reader Saturday, Aug. 23rd @ 7pm Mind Reader is not a show to simply watch, it’s an experience to be a part of. You will experience incredible feats of memory, discovery of new abilities, and of course, unbelievable mind reading. Why you should see it: This is the one for you if you enjoy card tricks, magic, and just generally having your mind blown. Steven Nicholas has an unbelievable memory, which he displays and then even passes on to you. It’s a nutty show that will leave you wondering how he did all of it. Do not miss.

If the Fringe sounds fun to you, I suggest seeing as many of these as you can. Make it a fun “collect ‘em all” thing for the week. The shows are ~60-minutes long and I think we’ve priced them well. I’ll even make it a little easier. Use the code FLYINGFRINGE on checkout for $5 off each and every ticket. Enjoy!

MARKETING

Publicity photos for the win

In the last Flying P, I gave you a sneak peek into our publicity shoots for Miss Nelson is Missing! and Little Shop of Horrors…so I thought I’d let you see the results before anyone else. How fun are these?!

The next time you see these images, it’ll most likely be in your mailbox. Will they cause you to buy a gazillion tickets? One can only hope.

👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
Foxes are people, too.
Check out Jennifer’s work in the Riverview Gallery.

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Little Shop First Look

Folks gathered last week at the Little Shop First Look to have a behind-the-scenes discussion with the production’s director, Maci Lucht, as well as cast members and designers…which means rehearsals are officially underway!

Spoiler alert: this one’s gonna be WILD.

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Talk to you next week!

This issue has…

• 🥺 A Russ Lunch
  we’re gonna miss him

• 😴 Dream Catcher Classes
  you make ‘em; they catch ‘em

• 🌹 Flower Shop Photo Ops
  it smelled so great

SAUSAGE-MAKING

Publici-tease

it’s gonna be cute; you can tell

Big huge Wednesday mega fun was had at our first two publicity shoots of the new season.

First up, we headed over to Hudson High School to snap some pics for the upcoming Children’s Theatre Council production, Miss Nelson is Missing!.

After that, we met at Hudson Flower Shop to cross Little Shop of Horrors off the list. Side note: Hudson Flower Shop is also sponsoring Little Shop of Horrors. Next time you’re in their neck of the woods, pop in and thank them for supporting your favorite arts center.

A very large thanks to Ryan for helping us secure an hour at the high school, Hudson Flower Shop for the use of their back room (and the sponsorship, of course), and Molly for killin’ in behind the camera.

I’ll share the results soooooooon.

funny kid x3

PROGRAMMING

Nieces + Cinderella = popular uncle

it doesn’t get much bigger than meeting Cinderella

Are you an uncle looking to earn brownie points with the nieces in your life? If so, I cannot recommend Cinderella, a Phipps ballet enough.

Not only is the performance truly wonderful, but the Dance Council has done a super job adding little extras throughout: a tiny craft table where kiddos can decorate their very own crown, there was a children’s post-show story time last weekend, kids can meet characters after the show, etc. It’s a ton of fun.

My niece Sabrina (pictured) had a perma-smile the entire time. If it was possible for her to love me more than she already does (it is not), taking her to this production would’ve done the trick. But again: no need, as she clearly already loves me the maximum amount.

Cinderella closes this Sunday. Don’t miss this really fun Phipps dance production!

a crown needs jewels…duh

the maximum amount

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my favorite gallery piece of the week
I like the lines here.
Did that sound smart? I dunno.
Check out Gallery Two for more of Amy’s work.

COMMUNITY

RiverFest in the River Room

gotta catch those dreams

The PCA threw out a RiverFest assist last weekend by hosting two dream catcher classes taught by Michael “Laughing Fox" Charette, and providing space for artist, Melissa Fowler, in the Rotunda Lounge.

If you’re not familiar, RiverFest is an annual event aimed at building awareness of the St. Croix River. Remember last week’s Scrappy blurb?

Did you partake in any RiverFest festivities? If so, hit reply and let me know what you did and how you liked it. I wasn’t able to attend, so please describe it in great detail. Thanks in advance!

• Enjoying The Flying P? Forward it to a friend.

• Are you that friend? Subscribe here.

• Interested in learning more about the Phipps? Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or hit reply and let me know what you’re looking for. I’ll help you find it.

Talk to you next week!